Hello All,
It’s National Poetry Day today and to get in the spirit we would like to share this lovely entertaining and insightful poem about Autism.
The poem is written by the accomplished poet Simon Mack (twitter.com/simonmackwords) who is himself on the Autistic spectrum and a writer/blogger for many publications including the Huffington Post.
We would love to hear what you think!
Title: A1
I've just lined my pens up in a neat tidy row
The ends all together and divided just so
Papers stacked tidily I'm ready for lunch
This afternoon's duties placed in orderly bunch.
The canteen at work can be quite a bind
Loud noise and commotion with odd smells I find
I'll pop to Ted's cafe and find quiet corner
Away from the hustle he knows what I order.
Eating my old favourite of sausage and chips
The fries are the right size in uniform strips
I like them with ketchup only from a glass bottle
Plastic ones too squelchy with filthy clogged nozzle.
My meal ate in order chips first then banger
I square off cutlery tick off task in planner
Walking back I admire drainage neat in order
Equal stones sunk around form tidy neat border.
The clock fast approaching my time to resume
I pass colleague Helen off to lunch I assume
She smiles for a moment I'm not sure of why
Quick nip to the toilet to straighten my tie.
The afternoon passes without a disruption
My system of business in orderly function
My boss asks to see me regarding tomorrow
Another department short staffed asked my borrow.
My Happiness shattered my system destroyed
Haphazard disruption my efforts devoid
Who'd complete all the tasks I must leave behind?
To clear up another fool's mess undermined.
Accepting instruction a day in toil hell
Tidier contraption by day's end work knell
Swift escape to homestead a peaceful domain
Detox with a soda and matching jewels game.
A thorough shower later it's off to my group
To meet with like minders in autistic loop
We'll share our life stories and get some advice
Then pop for late dinner all together which is nice.
Mack 2014
Alexandra (Moderator)